DEMOLITION OF OLD RETAIL CENTRE BRINGS £15 M SCHEME A STEP CLOSER

St Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, has started demolishing the shopping centre at Connah’s Quay, located at Ffordd Llanarth, to make way for its £15 million retail development.

The existing centre, which was constructed in the 1970s, will be replaced by a new development comprising a 52,000 sq ft Morrisons food store and 20,000 sq ft of complementary retail space. It is hoped that these smaller units will be occupied by a mix of local and national retailers, some of which were tenants in the original scheme and have now taken the opportunity to occupy more modern accommodation.

The plans also include enlarging the car park to provide 325 spaces, introducing disabled, motorcycle and cycle parking facilities, improving pedestrian links to and within the centre, and providing a bus pick-up point.

Upon its completion, the development will be renamed ‘Deeside District Centre’ and will become a significant retail hub in the region.

Paul Batho, Senior Development Manager at St Modwen, said: “The development of Deeside District centre represents a significant investment in the area which will change the face of the current neighbourhood centre, providing a modern retail centre incorporating a mix of retail outlets and improving public spaces.”

Morrisons signed its deal to operate the anchor food store in summer 2008. The store will feature its fresh ‘Market Street’ counters, offering high quality fresh food prepared by hand in store.

The demolition works are scheduled to be completed later this year. It is anticipated that the start on site will follow shortly afterwards.

Lisa Fearn, Connah’s Quay Town Centre Manager, added: "Connah's Quay Town Council is delighted works have commenced for demolition of the old precinct and look forward to the new proposed shopping centre being erected later this year. This is an exciting time for Connah's Quay and the new precinct; it will regenerate the area whilst offering fantastic new modern facilities and employment opportunities. It has been a long time coming with lots of hard work being done behind the scene, working in partnership with Flintshire County Council and St Modwen. We are pleased it is now happening, but in the meantime apologise for any inconvenience this has caused for the local community and businesses."

Outline planning consent was granted to St Modwen in April 2008.



Notes to Editors:
St Modwen is the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, operating across the full spectrum of the property industry through a network of seven regional offices and a Birmingham based head office. The company is wholly focused upon regeneration with expertise in brownfield land renewal, partnering with industry, town centre regeneration, Innovation Centres and education projects. www.stmodwen.co.uk